News, 03/07/2017

All things Finnish at the Proms 2017

Over the decades the aim of the BBC Proms festival has been to bring the best classical music to the largest possible audience. This year the 123rd annual BBC Proms will run from 14th July – 9th September for 8 weeks of concerts, talks, workshops, family events and more, ending with the famous Last Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Photo: VisitBritain / Jasmine Teer

This year the BBC Proms celebrate the anniversaries of several famous composers. Among these are the 70th birthday of John Adams and 80th birthday of Philip Glass, two of the most important pioneers of American minimalism as well as the 85th birthday of world renowned John Williams. The Proms will feature dedicated performances to these composers and their works in honour of their contribution to the world of music. 2017 also marks 100 years since the Russian Revolution and 500 years since the Protestant Reformation with concerts that explore the way in which composers were influenced by the politics of their day.

For Finns 2017 marks the centenary of independent Finland, and what better way to celebrate this than to enjoy the best Finnish musicians and conductors performing at the world famous BBC Proms.

15th July: Prom 2

Sibelius’ Violin concerto in D minor

17th July: Prom 5

Sibelius’ Symphony No.7 in C major

18th July: Prom 6

Sibelius’ Symphony No.2 in D Major

31st July: Proms at Cadogan Hall, PCM 3

From Kalevala to Kaustinen: Finnish Folk and Baroque music

2nd August: Prom 24

Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philarmonia Orchestra

10th August: Prom 33

John Storgårds conducts the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

18th August: Prom 45

Sakari Oramo Conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra

22nd August: Prom 51

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra

30th August: Prom 61

Sakari Oramo conducts the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra

9th September: Last night of the Proms 2017

Sakari Oramo conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra as they perform the world premiere of Lotta Wennäkoski’s Flounce, Sibelius’ Finlandia and many others